Lachen Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The village consists of about 150 houses, which were earlier inhabited only in winters by their owners who spent the summers on the pastures along the Tibet border tending to their herd of yaks. It is situated at an altitude of 8838 ft. Lachen is the base for tours to Gurudongmar lake and Chopta Valley. You will have to stay overnight at Lachen before going to the Gurudongmar Lake day tour. There is a large military base at Lachen.

Lachen is 121 km from Gangtok through the North Sikkim Highway. The road from Gangtok passes Phodong and Mangan. At Chungthang the road bifurcates, the road on the right leading to Lachung and the one on the left going to Lachen. It is a 6 hrs drive from Gangtok to Lachen.

Map of Lachen

Lachen is covered as part of North Sikkim Package tours. This is the transit point for visiting Gurudongmar lake. This lake is the 2nd highest lake in India. Restricted area permit is required to visit this lake.

Package tours to Lachen, Lachung, Thangu as well as Yumthang Valley is conducted by:

• India Beacons Sojourn, Mobile : +91 9903295920 Phone : +91 033 26270886.

This agency takes care of all your requirements like acquiring Restricted area permits as well as transport to Lachen and the entire North Sikkim.

• 27.71624188.5566111 Lachen Monastery. (updated Jul 2023)

• Gurudongmar Lake (Green Lake). The lake is situated at an altitude of 17,000 ft. The weather is extremely cold, with a strong freezing wind in the afternoon. 
• 27.988.521 Chopta Valley. Chopta Valley is situated at an altitude of 14,000 ft. The temperature is below 10 degrees through the whole year and below freezing point in winter and at night. If you want to visit Chopta valley you have to stay overnight at Lachen. The drive from Lachen to Thangu is 30 kilometres with a difference in altitude of about 4 500 feet. The green vegetation of the lower altitudes changes to an Alpine and finally to a Tibetan plateau type terrain. Indian citizens are allowed to proceed to Gurudongmar Lake, but foreigners may visit Chopta Valley only. 

• Women's Handicraft Center (Main Market). Here you can buy traditional carpets, blankets, handbags and shawls made from yak and sheep wool.